Spinal Implant

ABSTRACT

A spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes first and second bone screws and a body. The body includes a back surface having first and second openings for receiving the first and second screws. The first and second openings are configured for orientation towards opposing vertebral bodies. The body further includes first and second side surfaces extending from opposing ends of the back surface and first and second end surfaces extending from respective first and second side surfaces, wherein the ends of the first and second end surfaces meet and define an atraumatic nose. A first angle is formed between the first side surface and the first end surface that is different than a second angle that is formed between the second side surface and the first end surface. A method using same is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/620,788, filed on Feb. 12, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,426,630,which claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/938,725, filed on Feb. 12, 2014, the entirecontents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods fortreating spinal conditions, and in particular, to spinal implantsconfigured for positioning within an intervertebral space.

BACKGROUND

The human spine includes thirty-three vertebrae. The vertebrae interlockwith one another to form a spinal column. Each vertebra has acylindrical bony body (vertebral body), two pedicles extending from thevertebral body, a lamina extending from the pedicles, two wing-likeprojections extending from the pedicles, a spinous process extendingfrom the lamina, a pars interarticularis, two superior facets extendingfrom the pedicles, and two inferior facets extending from the lamina.The vertebrae are separated and cushioned by thin pads of tough,resilient fiber known as intervertebral discs. Intervertebral discsprovide flexibility to the spine and act as shock absorbers duringactivity. A small opening (foramen) located between each vertebra allowspassage of nerves. When the vertebrae are properly aligned, the nervespass through without a problem. However, when the vertebrae aremisaligned or a constriction is formed in the spinal canal, the nervesget compressed and may cause back pain, leg pain, or other neurologicaldisorders.

Disorders of the spine that may cause misalignment of the vertebrae orconstriction of the spinal canal include spinal injuries, infections,tumor formation, herniation of the intervertebral discs (i.e., slippageor protrusion), arthritic disorders, and scoliosis. In these pathologiccircumstances, surgery may be tried to either decompress the neuralelements and/or fuse adjacent vertebral segments. Decompression mayinvolve laminectomy, discectomy, or corpectomy. Laminectomy involves theremoval of part of the lamina, i.e., the bony roof of the spinal canal.Discectomy involves partial or complete removal of the intervertebraldiscs. Corpectomy involves removal of the vertebral body as well as theadjacent intervertebral discs.

The time-honored method of addressing the issues of neural irritationand instability resulting from severe disc damage have largely focusedon removal of the damaged disc and fusing the adjacent vertebralelements together. Removal of the disc relieves the mechanical andchemical irritation of neural elements, while osseous union (boneknitting) solves the problem of instability.

While cancellous bone appears ideal to provide the biologic componentsnecessary for osseous union to occur, it does not initially have thestrength to resist the tremendous forces that may occur in theintervertebral disc space, nor does it have the capacity to adequatelystabilize the spine until long term bony union occurs. For thesereasons, many spinal surgeons have found that interbody fusion usingbone alone has an unacceptably high rate of bone graft migration,expulsion, or nonunion due to structural failures of the bone orresidual degrees of motion that retard or prohibit bony union.Therefore, intervertebral prostheses in various forms have been used toprovide immediate stability and to protect and preserve an environmentthat fosters growth of grafted bone such that a structurally significantbony fusion can occur.

Many intervertebral implants are formed from biocompatible materials,such as titanium. However, such materials are rigid and provide minimalcushioning. Such rigidity, in extreme situations, may be a cause ofsubsidence, which can generate additional pain and trauma to a spinalcolumn.

Therefore, a need exists for an intervertebral implant that providescushioned support and remains in place during use.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to spinal implants configured forpositioning within an intervertebral space. The spinal implant includesfirst and second bone screws and a body. The body includes a backsurface having first and second openings for receiving the first andsecond screws. The first opening is configured for orientation towards afirst vertebral body and the second opening is configured fororientation towards a second vertebral body. The body also includesfirst and second side surfaces extending from opposing ends of the backsurface and first and second end surfaces extending from the respectivefirst and second side surfaces. The ends of the first and second endsurfaces meet and define an atraumatic nose. A first angle is formedbetween the first side surface and the first end surface and a secondangle is formed between the second side surface and the first endsurface. The first angle is different than the second angle.

In aspects, the first end surface defines a first longitudinal axis. Thefirst longitudinal axis bisects the first end surface and extendsperpendicular therefrom. The body is asymmetrical about the firstlongitudinal axis.

In aspects, the back surface defines a second longitudinal axisextending perpendicular therefrom. The back surface is oriented relativeto the first end surface such that the second longitudinal axis definesan oblique angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis.

In aspects, the second angle is greater than the first angle.

In aspects, the back surface, the first and second end surfaces, and thefirst and second side surfaces define top and bottom surfaces. The topand bottom surfaces include ridges adapted to engage the first andsecond vertebral bodies.

In aspects, at least one insert slot is defined in one of the top andbottom surfaces. The at least one insert slot is in communication with acorresponding opening of the first and second openings and is configuredto receive a plate insert.

In aspects, the plate insert includes a screw opening definedtherethrough. The plate insert is configured to be received within theat least one insert slot with the screw opening substantially alignedwith a corresponding opening of the first and second openings of thebody.

In aspects, a through-bore is defined through the top and bottomsurfaces of the body.

In aspects, the body includes a body portion and a plate.

In aspects, the plate includes a leading surface defined opposite theback surface that includes a T-shaped projection.

In aspects, the body portion includes a trailing surface definedopposite the first end surface. The trailing surface is configured tomate with the leading surface of the plate and includes a T-shaped slotdefined therein. The T-shaped slot is configured to slidably engage theT-shaped projection of the plate, thereby permitting the plate and thebody portion to be selectively engaged.

In aspects, the T-shaped projection and the T-shaped slot are orientedsuch that when the body portion and plate are slidably engaged, the bodyportion and the plate are prevented from moving relative to each otherin a caudal or cephalad direction.

In aspects, the body portion is formed of a material that is softer thanthat of the plate material.

A method of performing surgery is also disclosed. The method includesproviding a spinal implant including first and second bone screws and abody. The body includes a back surface having first and second openingsfor receiving the first and second screws. The first opening isconfigured for orientation towards a first vertebral body and the secondopening is configured for orientation towards a second vertebral body.The body also includes first and second side surfaces extending fromopposing ends of the back surface and first and second end surfacesextending from the respective first and second side surfaces. The endsof the first and second end surfaces meet and define an atraumatic nose.A first angle is formed between the first side surface and the first endsurface and a second angle is formed between the second side surface andthe first end surface. The first angle is different than the secondangle. The method further includes preparing an intervertebral spacebetween the first and second vertebral bodies to receive the spinalimplant, inserting the spinal implant into the prepared intervertebralspace, and inserting the first and second bone screws through the firstand second openings of the spinal implant and into each of therespective first and second vertebral bodies.

In aspects, the method further includes packing a through-bore withbiological material. The through-bore is defined by an interiorperimeter of the first and second end surfaces, the first and secondside surfaces, and the back surface.

In aspects, inserting the first and second bone screws includesinserting at least one plate insert within an insert slot defined in oneof a top surface or a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces aredefined by the back surface, the first and second end surfaces, and thefirst and second side surfaces, and the insert slot is in communicationwith an opening of the first and second openings.

In aspects, providing the spinal implant includes the body of the spinalimplant having a body portion and a plate, wherein the plate is slidablyengageable with the body portion.

In aspects, the method further includes slidably engaging the plate withthe body portion to prohibit the plate from moving in a caudal orcephalad direction with respect to the body portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosureand, together with a general description of the disclosure given above,and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear, perspective view, of a spinal implant provided inaccordance with the present disclosure, with parts separated;

FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective view, of the assembled spinal implant ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side, perspective view, of the spinal implant of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the spinal implant of FIG. 1, coupled to avertebral body;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the spinal implant and vertebral body of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a rear, perspective view, of another spinal implant providedin accordance with the present disclosure, with parts separated;

FIG. 7 is a rear, perspective view, of the assembled spinal implant ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear, perspective, view of the spinal implant of FIG. 6coupled to a vertebral body;

FIG. 9A is a top view of a bone screw usable with the spinal implant ofFIGS. 1 and 6;

FIG. 9B is a side view of the bone screw of FIG. 9A; and

FIG. 9C is a side, cross-sectional view of the bone screw of FIG. 9Ataken alone line 9C-9C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail withreference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. Ascommonly known, the term “clinician” refers to a doctor, a nurse, or anyother care provider and may include support personnel. Additionally, theterm “proximal” refers to the portion of the device or component thereofthat is closer to the clinician and the term “distal” refers to theportion of the device or component thereof that is farther from theclinician. In addition, the term “cephalad” is used in this applicationto indicate a direction toward a patient's head, whereas the term“caudal” indicates a direction toward the patient's feet. Further still,for the purposes of this application, the term “lateral” indicates adirection toward a side of the body of the patient, i.e., away from themiddle of the body of the patient. The term “posterior” indicates adirection toward the patient's back, and the term “anterior” indicates adirection toward the patient's front. Additionally, in the drawings andin the description that follows, terms such as front, rear, upper,lower, top, bottom, and similar directional terms are used simply forconvenience of description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.In the following description, well-known functions or constructions arenot described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure inunnecessary detail.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of aspinal implant provided in accordance with the present disclosuregenerally identified by reference numeral 100. Spinal implant 100generally includes a body 110, a plurality of plate inserts 150, and aplurality of bone screws 190. Bone screws 190 are configured forsecuring spinal implant 100 in a position relative to the adjacentvertebral bodies. Plate inserts 150 cooperate with body 110 to retainbone screws 190 therein, as will be discussed in detail hereinbelow.Each of these components along with the assembly and insertion of spinalimplant 100 into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebralbodies will be described in turn hereinbelow.

The various components of expandable spinal implant 100, or portionsthereof, may be formed from various similar or different materials,depending on a particular purpose. In particular, body 110 may be formedfrom a non-metallic material (e.g., polymeric materials such aspolyetheretherketone (PEEK), carbon fiber, etc.), organic materials suchas bone, a metallic material (e.g., titanium, titanium alloy, stainlesssteel, or cobalt chrome (CoCr)), or a ceramic material. Bone screws 190may be formed from titanium, titanium alloy, CoCr or other suitablemetal that is compatible with expandable spinal implant 100.Additionally, plate inserts 150 may be formed from any softer compatiblematerial than that of bone screw 190, such as unalloyed titanium (e.g.,commercially pure titanium).

Body 110 is illustrated as having a generally pentagonal shape (FIG. 5);however, it is contemplated that body 110 may include other shapes, suchas square, rectangular, circular, oval, or the like. As best illustratedin FIG. 4, body 110 includes a substantially planar, first end surface114, at a distal or leading end 112, and a second end surface 118,opposite thereto at a proximal or trailing end 116, having asubstantially planar configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, first endsurface 114 defines axis A-A oriented normal thereto and extendingthrough second end surface 118, thereby bisecting first end surface 114.Although shown as generally forming a diverging angle with respect tofirst end surface 114, it is contemplated that second end surface 118may define a substantially parallel configuration relative to first endsurface 114 (FIG. 5). Body 110 extends between first and second endsurfaces 114, 118 to define respective top and bottom surfaces 120 and122 (FIG. 1), respectively, as well as opposed side surfaces 124 and 126(FIG. 5). Top and bottom surfaces 120, 122 are illustrated as beingsubstantially parallel to each other; however, it is contemplated thattop surface 120 may be planar, convex, or the like, and top surface 120may approximate bottom surface 122, or vice versa in order to provide adesired amount of lordosis. Opposing side surfaces 124 and 126 may forman oblique angle with respect to first end surface 114, such that body110 increases in width in a proximal direction along axis A-A. As bestillustrated in FIG. 5, although shown as having a curvate profile whenviewed from above, it is contemplated that side surface 124 may includeany suitable profile, such as planar. Side surface 126 is generallyshown has having a substantially planar configuration when viewed fromabove, and defines an angle with respect to first end surface 114 thatis greater than the angle that side surface 124 defines with first endsurface 114 (i.e., the angle formed by side surface 124 and first endsurface 114 is more acute than the angle formed by side surface 126 andfirst end surface 114). In this respect, body 110 is asymmetrical aboutaxis A-A with the relative width of body 110 being greater on the sideof side surface 126 than that of side surface 124. It is contemplatedthat the angle defined by side surface 126 and first end surface 114 isbetween 90 and 110 degrees, whereas the angle defined by side surface124 and first end surface 114 is between 110 and 160 degrees. Obliqueend surface (back surface) 128 is interposed between second end surface118 and side surface 126, and defines a generally planar configurationincluding axis B-B extending perpendicular thereto (FIG. 2), therebybisecting oblique end surface 128. Oblique end surface 128 is orientedrelative to first end surface 114 such that axis B-B (FIG. 2) defines anangle α relative to axis A-A between 20 degrees and 60 degrees. In oneembodiment, the angle α of axis B-B relative to axis A-A is 40 degrees.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, body 110 is configured such that each of sidesurfaces 124, 126 and oblique end surface 128 define a substantiallyatraumatic blunt nose profile with respect to each other and first andsecond end surfaces 114, 118. The intersection of top and bottomsurfaces 120, 122 with each of side surfaces 124, 126 and oblique endsurface 128 may be rounded to enhance the atraumatic character of body110.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, top surface 120 and bottom surface 122include a plurality of ridges 130 arranged thereon. Although generallyas shown as being disposed on the leading half of top and bottomsurfaces 120, 122, it is contemplated that ridges 130 may be disposed onany suitable portion of top and bottom surfaces 120, 122. Ridges 130 areconfigured to frictionally engage an adjacent surface of a vertebralbody (i.e., a vertebral endplate) to maintain spinal implant 100 in aposition relative to the adjacent vertebral body and to inhibit spinalimplant 100 from backing out of the intervertebral space since ridges130 will bite into the vertebral endplate. As can be appreciated, ridges130 may take any suitable form capable of engaging a surface of avertebral body, such as teeth, texturing, surface roughness patterning,projections, and the like. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, ridges 130 arearranged in a parallel configuration relative to oblique end surface128, thereby forming an oblique angle with first end surface 114. It iscontemplated that ridges 130 may be oriented in any suitableconfiguration relative to first end surface 114.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, bottom surface 122 includes at least oneaperture 122 a defined therein and at least partially penetratingtherethrough configured to receive an optional fiduciary insert (notshown), thus allowing the orientation of spinal implant 100 to bedetermined using a number of different imaging modalities as are knownin the art. This feature is particularly important when spinal implant100 is made from a substantially radiolucent material (e.g., PEEK). Itis contemplated that top and bottom surfaces 120, 122 may includeadditional apertures 122 a.

Body 110 includes a through-bore 132 defined through top and bottomsurfaces 120, 122. Although generally shown as having a configurationsimilar to that of the overall outer profile of body 110, it iscontemplated that through-bore 132 may have any suitable shape, such assquare, rectangular, circular, or the like. As can be appreciated,through-bore 132 is configured to receive biological material, such asbone in-growth material, drugs, or other suitable materials orcompounds. Examples of such materials are allograft material, autograftmaterial, calcium phosphate/bone marrow aspirate (BMA), autogenous bonematerial, or synthetic materials comprised of a biocompatible,osteoconductive, osteoinductive, or osteogeneic material such as VITOSS®Synthetic Cancellous Bone Void Filler material.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, lumen 134 is defined through side surface124 and an interior surface of through-bore 132. Although generallyshown as having a substantially quadrilateral configuration, lumen 134may have any suitable configuration such as circular, square,rectangular, or the like.

Referring back to FIG. 1, first and second screw holes 136, 138 extendthrough oblique end surface 128. Screw hole 136 is obliquely angledrelative to oblique end surface 128 and is oriented toward top surface120 (e.g., first screw hole 136 extends in a non-perpendicularorientation relative to oblique end surface 128) thereby directing bonescrew 190 therethrough at a similar oblique angle towards one of thevertebral bodies “VB” (FIG. 4) for engagement of bone screw 190 withinthe vertebral body “VB”. Second screw hole 138 is configured in asimilar fashion to that of first screw hole 136, however, second screwhole is obliquely angled relative to oblique end surface 128 towardsbottom surface 122. First and second screw holes 136, 138 are arrangedin a side-by-side configuration. Although generally shown as having twoscrew holes, it is contemplated that body 110 may include any suitablenumber of screw holes for coupling body 110 to a vertebral body. It iscontemplated that only one bone screw may be used in a particularapplication while in other situations three or more screws may be usedin varying orientations for coupling body 110 to one or two adjacentvertebral bodies. As such, the bone screws may be oriented towards asingle vertebral body or the bone screws may be arranged such that theyengage both adjacent vertebral bodies.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, an insert slot 140 is defined in topsurface 120 commutating with first screw hole 136. A correspondinginsert slot is defined in bottom surface 122 (FIG. 5) and is configuredto communicate with second screw hole 138. In the interest of brevity,only insert slot 140 will be described in detail herein, although bothare substantially identical. Insert slot 130 is configured to receive aplate insert 150 therein. Insert slot 140 is dimensioned such that plateinsert 150 and insert slot 140 engage in an interference fit, therebyretaining plate insert 150 within insert slot 140. However, it iscontemplated that insert slot 140 may be dimensioned to slidably receiveplate insert 150. It is contemplated that plate insert 150 may beretained within insert slot 140 by any suitable bonding means known inthe art (e.g., adhesives, welding, etc.). It is contemplated that eachscrew hole (i.e., first and second screw holes 136, 138, or any suitablecombination thereof) will have a corresponding insert slot 140 forretaining a respective bone screw 190 therein.

As shown in FIG. 1, plate insert 150 includes a screw opening 152defined therethrough and an annular sidewall extending downward from atop surface thereof to form a corresponding lip 154 proximate a bottomsurface thereof. In operation, when plate insert 150 is inserted in acorresponding insert slot 140, screw opening 152 substantially alignswith a corresponding screw hole 136, 138 or is otherwise coincidenttherewith to permit bone screw 190 to be advanced therethrough. Althoughdescribed with reference to screw hole 136, the use of plate insert 150is equally applicable to screw hole 138, and therefore in the interestof brevity, any description thereof will not be discussed in detailherein. As bone screw 190 is advanced through screw hole 136, thread 194b of bone screw 190 threadingly engages lip 154, thereby retaining bonescrew 190 within screw hole 136 and preventing bone screw 190 frombacking out of screw hole 136. In particular, bone screw 190 may beformed from titanium alloy (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V) and the lip 154 may beformed of a softer compatible material, such as unalloyed titanium. Asthe lip 154 is formed from a softer material than the bone screw 190,advancement of bone screw 190 through screw hole 136 results in thethread 194 b deforming the lip 154 such that the bone screw 190 resistsbacking out of the screw hole 136. It is further contemplated that anysuitable locking means may be employed to retain bone screws 190 withinfirst and second screw holes 136, 138, such as expanding head screws,spring locking clips, cover plates, and the like.

With reference to FIG. 2, body 110 includes a first recess 142 definedin second end surface 118 and adjacent to first screw hole 136. Firstrecess 142 includes a tapered surface 142 a that extends towardsthroughbore 132 and penetrates oblique end surface 128. Tapered surface142 a tapers in a distal direction and increases in depth such that thedistal end of first recess 142 is more defined than the proximal end(i.e., the proximal end is almost flush with second end surface 118,whereas the distal end provides a deep recess). First recess terminatesin a planar surface 142 b on a distal end and includes a threaded bore142 c is defined therein. Threaded bore 142 c is configured tothreadably engage a suitable insertion instrument (not shown), as willbe discussed in further detail hereinbelow.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, a second recess 144 is defined in sidesurface 126 and penetrates oblique end surface 128. Second recess 144 isidentical to that of first recess 142, except second recess 144 is in amirrored configuration to that of first recess 142 about axis B-B.Although generally shown as not including a threaded bore, it iscontemplated that second recess 144 may include a threaded boreconfigured to engage a suitable insertion instrument similarly to thatof first recess 142. First and second recesses 142, 144 cooperate toreleasably engage opposing prongs of a suitable insertion instrument(not shown), thereby permitting a suitable insertion instrument (notshown) to grasp spinal implant 100 and maneuver spinal implant 100 to asuitable location within the intervertebral space, as will be discussedin further detail hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C, an illustration of bone screw 190configured for use with spinal implant 100 is shown. As can beappreciated, a plurality of bone screws 190 is configured to secure body110 of spinal implant 100 to adjacent vertebral bodies. However, as bonescrews 190 are similar to one another, only one is described in detailherein. It is also contemplated that other suitable bone screws 190 beprovided for use with spinal implant 100.

Bone screw 190 generally includes a shank 192 and a head 194. Shank 192defines a distal tip 192 a and pitched threading 192 b disposed aboutshank 192. Distal tip 192 a and pitched threading 192 b facilitatedriving bone screw 190 into bone and securement of bone screw 190therein. Head 194 of bone screw 190 defines a tool-engaging recess 194a. Head 194 further includes a thread 194 b for threadably engaging lip154 of plate insert 150. Pitched threading 192 a has a pitch greaterthan that of thread 194 b. Tool-engaging recess 194 a may have any shapeand/or dimension suitable for transmitting rotational motion from a toolto bone screw 190 (e.g., square, hex, pozidrive, or the like).

For a detailed discussion of the construction of exemplary bone screws,reference may be made to U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0214166, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the insertion of a spinal implant 100 intothe intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies “VB” duringthe course of a spinal surgical procedure is described. Initially, theintervertebral space is prepared, e.g., damaged or diseased tissue ispartially or totally removed. Thereafter, the interior space ofthrough-bore 132 of body 110 may be packed with biological material suchas bone in-growth material, drugs, or other suitable materials orcompounds. Examples of such materials are allograft material, autograftmaterial, calcium phosphate/bone marrow aspirate (BMA), autogenous bonematerial, or synthetic materials comprised of a biocompatible,osteoconductive, osteoinductive, or osteogeneic material such as VITOSS®Synthetic Cancellous Bone Void Filler material. Next, spinal implant 100is affixed to a suitable insertion instrument by releasably engagingfirst and second recesses 142, 144, and thereafter, threadably engagingthreaded bore 142 c to releasably retain body 110 thereto. At thispoint, each of plate inserts 150 may be advanced within a respectiveslot 140 of body 110 and thereafter, retained to body 110 by anysuitable means discussed hereinabove. Spinal implant 100 may then beadvanced into a previously prepared intervertebral space of thepatient's spine. Typically, an incision is created through the patient'sskin and tissue is atraumatically moved to create a working space for ananterior approach. It is contemplated that a lateral approach or ananterior-lateral approach may be employed. As best illustrated in FIG.5, spinal implant 100 is oriented such that axis A-A lies substantiallyparallel with an axis Y-Y defined along the midsagittal plane of thespine, and substantially normal to an axis X-X defined along thetransverse plane of the spine. In this orientation, the angle of obliqueend surface 128 with respect to axis A-A, Y-Y permits easier access tobone screw holes 136, 138, and thereafter, bone screws 190 when drivingbone screws 190 into a respective adjacent vertebral body “VB”. Bonescrews 190 (FIGS. 9A-9C) are then inserted through respective screwholes 136, 138 of body 110 and are driven into one of the adjacentvertebral bodies. Due to the obliquely angled configuration of screwholes 136, 138 relative to oblique end surface 128 mentioned above, bonescrews 190 are guided through screw holes 136, 138 and into thevertebral body “VB”.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, another embodiment of a spinal implant inaccordance with the present disclosure is shown, generally referred toas spinal implant 200. Spinal implant 200 is substantially similar tospinal implant 100, and therefore, in the interest of brevity, only thedifferences between spinal implant 200 and spinal implant 100 will bedescribed in detail hereinbelow.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, spinal implant 200includes a body portion 210 and a plate 220 which cooperate to definetwo-part spinal implant 200 configured for positioning between adjacentvertebral bodies. It is contemplated that body portion 210 may be formedfrom a non-metallic material (e.g., polymeric materials such aspolyetheretherketone (PEEK), carbon fiber, etc.), organic materials suchas bone, whereas plate 220 may before formed from a different materialsuch as a metallic material (e.g., titanium, titanium alloy, stainlesssteel, or cobalt chrome (CoCr)) or a ceramic material and vice versa.

Continuing with FIG. 6, plate 220 defines a leading surface 222 disposedopposite oblique end surface 228 (comparable to oblique end surface 128of body 110 of spinal implant 100) and oriented substantially parallelthereto. T-shaped projection 224 is disposed on leading surface 222 andextends between side surfaces 214′ (FIGS. 8) and 216′ (comparable to thetrailing ends of side surfaces 124, 126 of body 110 of spinal implant100) and facilitates selective attachment to body portion 210, asillustrated in FIG. 7.

Body portion 210 defines trailing surface 212 disposed adjacent to andmirroring leading surface 222 of plate 220. A T-shaped slot 218 isdefined through side surfaces 214″ (FIGS. 8) and 216″ (corresponding tothe leading ends of side surfaces 124, 126 of body 110 of spinal implant100) and includes a profile corresponding to the profile of T-shapedprojection 224. T-shaped slot 218 includes an opening 218 a definedthrough trailing surface 212 thereby permitting T-shaped projection 224to engage T-shaped slot 218 in order to facilitate selective attachmentof body portion 210 and plate 220 in a dovetail configuration by slidingplate 220 in a direction from either side surface 214″ or 216″. Thisconfiguration limits relative vertical movement (i.e., cephalad orcaudal) between plate 220 and body portion 210.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, screw holes 236, 238 are defined inoblique surface 228 (comparable to screw holes 136, 138, respectively,of body 110 of spinal implant 100) and include a lip 226 defined on theinner surface thereof. Screw holes 236, 238 are substantially similar tothat of screw holes 136, 138, respectively, and therefore only thedifferences therebetween will be discussed herein. Lip 226 issubstantially similar in structure to lip 154 of plate 150 and operatesin a substantially similar fashion, and therefore, in the interest ofbrevity, further details will not be discussed hereinbelow. It isfurther contemplated that any suitable locking means may be employed toretain bone screws 190 within first and second screw holes 236, 238,such as expanding head screws, spring locking clips, cover plates, andthe like. Similarly to spinal implant 100, spinal implant 200 mayinclude any suitable number of screw holes for coupling body 110 to avertebral body. It is contemplated that only one bone screw may be usedin a particular application while in other situations three or morescrews may be used in varying orientations for coupling spinal implant200 to one or two adjacent vertebral bodies. As such, the bone screwsmay be oriented towards a single vertebral body or the bone screws maybe arranged such that they engage both adjacent vertebral bodies.

Continuing with FIG. 6, body portion 210 further includes a pair ofannular grooves 246, 248, which are defined through trailing surface 212and are aligned axially with screw holes 236, 238, respectively, topermit passage of bone screws 190 therethrough (FIG. 7).

With reference to FIG. 8, spinal implant 200 may be utilized in asimilar respect to spinal implant 100 as detailed above, with theexception that body portion 210 and plate 220 are initially engaged witheach other by sliding T-shaped projection 224 of plate 220 into T-shapeslot 218 of body portion 210 before insertion into a previously preparedintervertebral space of the patient's spine. Typically, an incision iscreated through the patient's skin and tissue is atraumatically moved tocreate a working space for an anterior approach. It is contemplated thata lateral approach or an anterior-lateral approach may be employed. Aseach of screw holes 236, 238 include a corresponding lip 226, plateinserts 150 are unnecessary.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments of the presently disclosed expandable spinal implant.Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting,but merely as exemplifications of embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure.

1. A spinal implant, comprising: a planar back surface defining firstand second openings each configured for receiving a bone screw; firstand second end surfaces extending from opposing ends of the backsurface, the first and second end surfaces defining a divergent anglewith respect to one another; first and second side surfaces extendingfrom the respective first and second end surfaces, wherein ends of thefirst and second side surfaces meet and define a nose, wherein the firstside surface defines a first longitudinal axis extending perpendicularthereto, the first longitudinal axis bisecting the first side surface,wherein the implant is asymmetrical about the first longitudinal axis;top and bottom surfaces connected to the back surface, the first andsecond end surfaces, and the first and second side surfaces, the firstopening oriented towards the top surface and the second opening orientedtowards the bottom surface; a first angle formed between the first sidesurface and the first end surface; a second angle formed between thesecond side surface and the first side surface, the second angle beingless than the first angle; wherein each of the top and bottom surfaceshas a first portion having ridges configured to engage first and secondvertebral bodies and a second portion lacking ridges, the secondportions being proximate to the back surface.
 2. The spinal implant ofclaim 1, further comprising a first insert slot defined in one of thetop and bottom surfaces and being in communication with the firstopening and configured to receive a plate insert, and a second insertslot defined in one of the top and bottom surfaces and being incommunication with the second opening and configured to receive a plateinsert.
 3. The spinal implant of claim 2, wherein the back surfacedefines a second longitudinal axis extending perpendicular thereto, theback surface oriented relative to the first side surface such that thesecond longitudinal axis defines an oblique angle with respect to thefirst longitudinal axis.
 4. The spinal implant of claim 3, wherein thefirst insert is disposed on one side of the second longitudinal axis andthe second insert slot is disposed on an opposite side of the secondlongitudinal axis.
 5. The spinal implant of claim 3, wherein the firstand second openings are disposed parallel to a plane containing thesecond longitudinal axis.
 6. The spinal implant of claim 3, furthercomprising a plate insert including a screw opening defined therethroughand configured to be received within one of the first and second insertslots with the screw opening substantially aligned with the respectiveone of the first and second openings.
 7. The spinal implant of claim 1,wherein a through-bore is defined through the top and bottom surfaces.8. A method of performing surgery, comprising: preparing anintervertebral space between first and second vertebral bodies toreceive a spinal implant; inserting the spinal implant of claim 1 intothe prepared intervertebral space; inserting a bone screw through thefirst opening of the spinal implant and into the first vertebral body;and inserting a bone screw through the second opening of the spinalimplant and into the second vertebral body.
 9. The method of claim 8,further including packing a through-bore with biological material, thethrough-bore defined by an interior perimeter of the first and secondend surfaces, the first and second side surfaces, and the back surface.10. A method of performing surgery, comprising: preparing anintervertebral space between first and second vertebral bodies toreceive a spinal implant; inserting the spinal implant of claim 2 intothe prepared intervertebral space; inserting a bone screw through thefirst opening of the spinal implant and into the first vertebral body;and inserting a bone screw through the second opening of the spinalimplant and into the second vertebral body, wherein the step ofinserting the bone screw through the first opening further includesinserting a plate insert within the first insert slot, and the step ofinserting the bone screw through the second opening further includesinserting a plate insert within the second insert slot.